30-Day Black and White Photography Challenge: Why you should shoot in monochrome

Black and white photography has always been a mixed bag for me. Some images are timeless and stunning, while others just fall flat. To push my skills and challenge myself creatively, I decided to embark on a month-long experiment: shooting exclusively in black and white for 30 days. I’m calling it the “Month of Monochrome,” and I’d love for you to follow along—or even join me!

Why Focus on Black and White Photography?

Every photographer hits a plateau at some point. For me, stepping outside of my usual habits, like limiting myself to one focal length or aperture, has helped me grow in the past. This time, I wanted to tackle black and white photography head-on. I believe that by stripping away color, I can focus more on lighting, contrast, and emotion—traits that are essential for any great photo.

This challenge isn’t just about the aesthetic of black and white; it’s about improving my skills overall. Could shooting without color for a month make me a more thoughtful photographer? I was determined to find out.

Tools of the Trade

For this challenge, I relied on a few cameras: the Fuji X-M5 and mainly the Fuji X100V. These cameras are perfect for black and white photography, thanks to their custom film recipes and live monochrome previews. Seeing the black and white result through the viewfinder while shooting was a game-changer.

To kick things off, I used a black and white film recipe inspired by Fuji X Weekly. I tweaked it to suit my style and lighting conditions, and it made the process much smoother. No more guessing how the image might look in post-processing—it was right there in real-time.

The Big Focus: Contrast in Black and White Photography

Contrast is everything for black and white photography. Without color to rely on, your image lives or dies on how well you balance shadows, midtones, and highlights. During this challenge, I trained my eye to spot where the darkest darks and lightest lights fell in a scene.

High-contrast settings, like urban environments with bold shadows and bright highlights, helped me create dramatic images. On the flip side, low-contrast settings, like overcast landscapes, offered subtle, moody tones. Learning how to manage both scenarios taught me to elevate my composition skills.

Want better black and white photos? Stop looking at colors and start imagining how tones will appear.

Lighting: The Silent Hero of Black and White

Lighting has always been key in photography, but black and white takes it to another level. This challenge pushed me to analyze lighting with more intent. Was the light harsh, creating bold shadows and textures? Or was it even, delivering soft, gradual gradients?

For example in cityscapes, you can play with directional light to emphasize textures and patterns. For landscapes, embrace overcast days, letting the soft light add an smooth quality to my shots. Paying extra attention to lighting here also made me aware of how it influences my color photography.

Emotion Without Color

Emotion truly drives black and white images. Removing color forces the subject and composition to take center stage. I focused on the feelings I wanted to capture, whether it was mystery, joy, or melancholy.

For example, how do you convey happiness in black and white? You can’t rely on vibrant colors, so the emotion must come through expressions, body language, or other visual cues. Thinking deeply about emotion while shooting encouraged me to be more deliberate with every frame.

Collaboration and Fresh Perspectives

I wasn’t alone on this journey. Evan, another photographer, joined me on this photwalki with some hesitation. He wasn’t a fan of black and white photography, but he decided to give it a shot.

Evan shared how he mainly shot color and edited into black and white later, which often left him feeling unsure if his results were good. Using the Fuji X100V and its live monochrome preview changed that. He mentioned how tricky it was to judge shots in black and white but admitted that practice could help him develop the right eye over time.

It was interesting to see another perspective—and proof that this challenge can benefit photographers from all skill levels.

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Tips for Shooting Great Black and White Photos

If you’re thinking about diving into black and white photography, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Focus on Contrast: Shadows and highlights play a massive role. Use them to guide the viewer’s eye.

• Watch the Light: Think about how harsh or soft lighting affects the mood and texture in your photo.

• Think Emotion First: Decide how you want the photo to feel and compose with that in mind.

• Practice Live Monochrome Previews: If your camera allows it, use monochrome settings while shooting to visualize better.

  
  

How to Join the Challenge

Ready to give black and white photography a try? Join the “Month of Monochrome” challenge! Use the hashtag #NoColorJanuary to share your photos and browse others’ efforts. You can also connect with other photographers in our Discord community, where we’re sharing tips, answering questions, and showcasing our favorite shots.

This isn’t just a challenge—it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and experiment with something new in your photography journey.

Looking Ahead

I’m only at the beginning of this experience, but I’ve already learned so much. I’ll be back in a month to reflect on what I loved, what I struggled with, and how this challenge has shaped my approach to photography.

Until then, grab your camera, switch it to monochrome, and see what you can create. Black and white photography has a way of surprising you, and sometimes, less really is more.